Birdemic: Shock and Terror (often shortened to Birdemic) is a 2008 horror film (or "romantic thriller", according to its press release[1]), written, directed and produced by James Nguyen.[2]
Plot
Birdemic depicts a small town in the San Francisco Bay Area which is, suddenly and for unexplained reasons, the subject of a series of widespread and violent bird attacks over the course of a few days.[3] The townsfolk then have to fight off the attack with various deadly weapons such as toy guns, coat hangers and their fists.
Release
In January of 2009, Nguyen traveled to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah to promote the film freelance, handing out flyers to passers-by from his van, adorned with stuffed birds and paper signs that read "BIDEMIC.COM" and "WHY DID THE EAGLES AND VULTURES ATTACKED?"Vorlage:Sic, and renting out a local theater to screen the film.[4] Word of mouth eventually gave Birdemic attention from horror movie websites Dread Central[5] and Bloody Disgusting[6], while the trailer was featured on the July 30 episode of G4's Attack of the Show[7].
On February 27, 2010, Birdemic received its Los Angeles premiere at the Silent Movie Theatre[8], sponsored by Bloody Disgusting and hosted by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim.[9], followed by a cast-and-crew attended screening at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas on March 2[10] and Theatres in Tempe, Arizona.[11] The film will run in a limited theatrical release[12] and premiered on 26 March 2010 in the New Yorker IFC Center.[13] Severin films acquired the film in March 2010 and released it on 23 April 2010 in the Esquire Theater.[14]
DVD release
On April 3, 2009, Moviehead Pictures self-released Birdemic on DVD, selling it exclusively through Moviehead's official website and manufactured on demand through Amazon.com[15]. In late 2009, Birdemic was picked up by Severin Films with plans to create a special edition DVD, scheduled for release in early 2010.[16]
Production
Admittedly inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 film The Birds (the film touts a cameo from Tippi Hedren, which is actually archival footage from an early Nguyen film, Julie and Jack, playing on a television).[17]
Reception
Birdemic has been noted for its vastly poor quality, with reviewers calling out its wooden acting, bad dialogue, nonsensical plot and, in particular, its special effects, consisting entirely of poorly rendered CGI eagles and vultures that, in addition to performing physically awkward aerial maneuvers (non-animated birds sprites in the background will simply rotate 360° in mid-air), spit acid and explode upon impact with the ground.[18] On a 2009 "Best of" list, Bloody Disgusting listed Birdemic amongst its honorable mentions, calling it "the best worst film you'll see in 2010".[19] The comedy series Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! aired an episode entitled "Crows", which is a partial homage to the film.
References
External links
- ↑ Nguyen, James 'Birdemic' Press Release www.movieheadpictures.com. January 19, 2009.
- ↑ Tim & Eric Host the Greatest Night of Your Life: World Premiere of 'Birdemic'!
- ↑ Theatrical Trailer for Best-Worst Movie 'Birdemic' a Good Representation of What's to Come
- ↑ Husney, Evan. 'Birden of Dreams' Severin Films. December 3, 2009.
- ↑ 'A Birdemic of Shock and Terror and Romance' www.dreadcentral.com. July 21, 2009.
- ↑ Barrett, Simon 'Birdemic' interview on Bloody Disgusting Bloody Disgusting.com. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
- ↑ Clips of 'Birdemic' on "Attack of the Show" July 30, 2009.
- ↑ Official Theatrical Trailer for Birdemic: Shock and Terror
- ↑ Massacre, Tex Tim & Eric Host the Greatest Night of Your Life: Red Carpet Premiere of 'Birdemic'!
- ↑ 'Birdemic' Sells Out Los Angeles; Don't Miss Austin Screening on Tuesday!
- ↑ Video Interview with 'Birdemic' Director, Arizona Screening Added!
- ↑ Ridiculously Funny Birdemic Behind-the-Scenes Video
- ↑ Video Interview with 'Birdemic' Director Part 2, New York Premiere Announced!
- ↑ 'Birdemic' Interview Part 3, New York Screenings and More!
- ↑ 'Birdemic: Shock and Terror' on Amazon
- ↑ Birdemic Flies Its Way to Theaters!
- ↑ The official 'Birdemic' website
- ↑ Morbid. 'Birdemic: Shock and Terror' www.dreamindemon.com. December 18, 2009.
- ↑ Massacre, Tex. 'Best & Worst of 2009' Bloody Disgusting. December 22, 2009.